BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for repairing pipe, such as
underground sewer pipe and the like.
[0002] Prior methods for repairing damaged pipe lines include moving a liner tube impregnated
with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening to the position within the
pipe where the damaged portion is located. The liner tube is urged in an outward radial
direction into contact with the pipe line being repaired and the liquid material impregnating
the liner tube is permitted to cure and harden. The liner tube forms an interior liner
in the pipe for the pipe line being repaired.
[0003] On some occasions lateral pipe lines are connected to main pipe lines. Often damage
occurs at the junction between the lateral pipe line and the main pipe line. T-shaped
or Y-shaped liner tubes have been utilized to fit within the junction between the
lateral pipe line and the main pipe line. Liner tubes form a T-shaped or Y-shaped
liner after hardening to the interior of the junction between the lateral pipe line
and the main pipe line.
[0004] Ground water outside the lateral pipe line and the main pipe line infiltrates through
the damaged portion of the pipe line and migrates between the liner tube and the pipe
line to a point where it can enter the pipe line. In order to prevent this infiltration
of ground water, attempts have been made to adhere the liner tube to the interior
surface of the pipe line being repaired, whether it is a single straight pipe line
or a T-shaped or Y-shaped pipe line.
[0005] However, considerable difficulty has been encountered in attempting to obtain an
adhesive bond between the liner tube and the interior of the pipe being repaired.
The interior of the pipe being repaired is often greasy or oily even after high pressure
water jetting is performed. Attempts have been made to wash the interior of the pipe
line with some success, but washing the interior of the pipe line is often only partial
and not reliable. Furthermore, in some types of pipes, such as polyethylene pipes,
an adhesive bond cannot be maintained between the resin impregnated liner tube and
the polyethylene pipe even if the pipe is free from grease and oils.
[0006] Even in those instances where the interior of the pipe line is suitable for accepting
a liner, shrinkage of the liner can occur, which creates a gap that allows ground
water to flow around the liner and eventually infiltrate the pipe line. For example,
thermoset resins are used in cured-in-place pipe applications to form the liner to
the interior of the pipe line. These thermoset resins tend to shrink during the curing
process, thus creating a gap between the liner and the pipe. Even the slightest shrinkage
in the liner can be problematic.
[0007] U. S. Patent No. 6,994,118 addresses some of these problems in the art. The present invention constitute improvements
and additions to the earlier disclosure.
[0008] A primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved device
and method for repairing pipe by using hydrophilic seals or other impermeable compressible
materials.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device and method
for preventing ground water from infiltrating a pipe line near the juncture between
a main pipe line and a lateral pipe line.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device and method
for repairing a section of a pipe and preventing entry of ground water from a damaged
portion of the pipe being repaired.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device and method
for repairing the juncture between a main pipe line and a lateral pipe line which
uses a hydrophilic band or similar article of impermeable compressible material positioned
between the main pipe line and the liner around the opening that connects the main
pipe line to the lateral pipe line.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device and method
for repairing the juncture between a main pipe line and a lateral pipe line which
uses a hydrophilic gasket or gasket of similar impermeable compressible material that
seals against entry of ground water at the juncture between the pipe lines.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device and method
for repairing pipe using hydrophilic seals and the like which is economical to manufacture,
durable in use, and reliable in operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] According to one feature of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for repairing
the juncture between a main pipe line and a lateral pipe line. The apparatus includes
a main liner member and a lateral liner tube made of resin absorbent material. A hydrophilic
gasket or gasket of similar impermeable compressible material surrounds a portion
of both the main liner member and the lateral liner tube and is positioned between
the host pipes and the liner assembly in operation. The hydrophilic gasket is capable
of swelling in response to being exposed to a liquid, such as water, and forms a seal
between the liner assembly and the host pipes at the juncture between the host pipes.
The apparatus can be used in applications where the lateral liner is inverted into
the lateral pipe line or in so-called "pull-in-place" applications. In a pull-in-place
application, both the main liner and lateral liner are moved through the main pipe
line to a position where the lateral liner ultimately extends inside the lateral pipe
line and the main liner is positioned in the main pipe line near the access opening
to the lateral pipe line.
[0015] According to another feature of the present invention, a hydrophilic band or band
made of a similar impermeable compressible material is positioned on the main liner
portion of a main/lateral liner. The band surrounds the opening between the main and
lateral liners and is disposed between the main pipe line and the liner around the
periphery of the opening between the main and lateral pipes to effectively seal against
entry of ground water at the pipe junction. Again, this apparatus is suitable for
use in both inversion-style applications and pull-in-place applications.
[0016] According to yet another feature of the present invention, an apparatus and method
for inverting a liner in a cured-in-place application is provided. The liner includes
two hydrophilic bands connected to the interior lining surface of the liner that are
spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance so as to create a seal between
the host pipe and the liner on opposite sides of the damaged portion of the pipe.
When the liner is inverted, the hydrophilic bands are positioned on the outside of
the liner between the host pipe and the liner. Exposing the hydrophilic bands to water
or other liquid causes them to swell, thereby creating the desired seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017]
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a repair assembly for repairing a lateral pipe line
and a main pipe line.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a main pipe line and a lateral pipe line showing one
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the liner in its inflated position.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a repair assembly for
repairing a lateral pipe line and a main pipe line.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a main pipe line and a lateral pipe line showing the
device in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the liner in its inflated position.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of a pipe line, showing another embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 7, showing the liner in a partially
inverted position.
Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figure 8, showing the liner in a fully inverted
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring to Figures 1-3, a repair assembly is generally designated by the numeral
10. Repair assembly 10 includes a launcher device 12 having mounted thereto a T-shaped
or Y-shaped liner assembly 14. Repair assembly 10 also houses a T-shaped or Y-shaped
bladder assembly 16. In the particular configuration shown in Figures 1-3, the liner
assembly 14 and bladder assembly 16 are T-shaped, but they can also be Y-shaped to
accommodate a lateral pipe line that intersects with a main pipe line at an oblique
angle.
[0019] Launcher device 12 includes side walls 18, an end cap 20 and an end wall 22, all
of which form a launcher device cavity 48. End cap 20 includes a line inlet 24 through
which a line 26 extends. Line 26 is attached to a closed bladder tube end 28. Also
extending through end cap 20 is an air inlet 30 which is connected to an air hose
32. T-shaped or Y-shaped bladder tube assembly 16 includes a main bladder tube 34
and a lateral bladder tube 36. Similarly, the T-shaped or Y-shaped liner assembly
14 includes a main liner tube 38 and a lateral liner tube 40. The bladder assembly
16 is fitted on the interior of the liner assembly 14.
[0020] As can be seen in Figure 1, the main liner tube 38 is comprised of what is initially
a flat sheet of material which is wrapped around the outside of the main bladder tube
34 and the launcher device 12. The main liner tube 38 includes overlapping edges 42,
44. The launcher device 12 includes a launcher device opening 46, and the lateral
liner tube 40 is contained within the launcher device cavity 48 as shown in Figure
2. Similarly, the lateral bladder tube 36 is contained within the cavity 14 and surrounds
the lateral liner tube 40. Both the main liner tube 38 and the lateral liner tube
40 are comprised of a felt layer, which is the lining surface that contacts the interior
surface of the host pipe, and a polymer coating is on the opposite surface.
[0021] Figures 2 and 3 show the repair assembly 10 within a main pipe line 50 which is connected
to a lateral pipe line 52. The damaged portion 54 is shown needing repair. Ground
water from outside the lateral pipe line 52 and the main pipe line 50 will seep through
the damaged portion 54 and enter the interior of the main pipe line 50 and the lateral
pipe line 52.
[0022] In order to prevent this seepage of ground water, a gasket 56 is positioned about
a portion of the liner assembly 14. The gasket 56 includes a tubular portion 60 that
extends at least partially within the lateral liner tube 40 and a flange portion 58
that extends outwardly about the periphery of one end of the tubular portion 60. The
flange portion 58 of the gasket 56 is preferably attached to the main liner tube 38
around the juncture between the main liner tube 38 and the lateral liner tube 40 so
as to maintain the gasket 56 in proper position as the repair assembly 10 is positioned
for operation. The gasket 56 is preferably made of a hydrophilic material capable
of swelling in response to being exposed to water or other liquid. However, other
materials for the gasket 56 found suitable include neoprene rubber, other similar
gasket materials such as urethane or silicone rubber, and like impermeable compressible
materials.
[0023] Figure 2 shows the repair assembly 10 moved within the main pipe line 50 adjacent
the lateral pipe line 52. The launcher device opening 46 is registered with a junction
between a lateral pipe line 52 and the main pipe line 50. This alignment is done with
a TV camera (not shown). The lateral bladder tube 36 and the lateral liner tube 40
are contained within the launcher device cavity 48. It should be noted that the lateral
liner tube 40 and tubular portion 60 of the gasket 56 extend within the lateral bladder
tube 56 in Figure 2; whereas, the main liner tube 38 and the flange portion 60 of
the gasket 56 remain outside the main bladder tube 34 on the exterior of the launcher
device 12.
[0024] Air pressure is introduced in the cavity 48 through air hose 32, urging the liner
tube assembly 14 into contact with the interior walls of the main pipe line 50 and
the lateral pipe line 52. Continued air pressure causes the lateral bladder tube 36
and the lateral liner tube 40 to invert outwardly through the launcher device opening
into the lateral pipe line 52 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position
shown in Figure 3. While air is the preferred pressurized material, other gasses or
fluids may be used. It should be noted that this inversion process causes the lateral
liner tube 40 to be placed on the outside of the bladder tube 36 once the inversion
is complete, as shown in Figure 3. In this position, the gasket 56 is positioned between
the main liner tube assembly 14 and the interior walls of the main pipe line 50 and
between the lateral liner tube assembly 16 and the interior walls of the lateral pipe
line 52. Pressure within cavity 48 is maintained until the liquid hardenable material,
preferably a resin activated with a catalyst, cures and hardens. This results in the
liner assembly 14 assuming a rigid configuration, forming a lining to the lateral
pipe line 52 and the main pipe line 50.
[0025] The gasket 56 is preferably made of a material which is hydrophilic and which is
capable of expanding in response to encountering ground water or other liquid. A manufacturer
of such hydrophilic material is DeNeef Construction Chemical Co., 18314 Mathes Road,
Waller, TX 77484, under the trademark SWELLSEAL™.
[0026] The ground water, as designated by the arrows 90 in Figure 3, can seep towards the
hydrophilic gasket 56. However, upon encountering the hydrophilic gasket, the water
causes the gasket to expand in both a radial inward direction and a radial outward
direction. This causes the gasket 56 to form a water tight seal between the T-shaped
or Y-shaped liner assembly 14 and the interior walls of the main pipe line 50 and
the lateral pipe line 52.
[0027] While the preferred embodiment of the invention is intended for use with an inversion-type
application wherein the lateral bladder tube 36 and the lateral liner tube 40 invert
outwardly into the lateral pipe line 52, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the gasket 56 can also be used in pull-in-place applications. In a pull-in-place
application, the gasket can be threaded down the lateral liner tube 40 to the juncture
between the main liner tube 38 and the lateral liner tube 40. In such a pull-in-place
application, it is less important that the gasket 56 be attached to the liner assembly
14, as the gasket 56 will tend to stay in proper position as the lateral bladder tube
36 and lateral liner tube 40 are moved through the main pipe line 50 and ultimately
into the lateral pipe line 52 while at the same time the main bladder tube 34 and
main liner tube 38 are moved along the main pipe line 50 to a position adjacent the
opening to the lateral pipe line 52.
[0028] Although the precise dimensions of the gasket are not necessarily critical to the
present invention, a tubular portion having a length of approximately 6 inches and
a flange portion 60 having a diameter of approximately 12 inches has been found suitable
for most sewer pipe applications.
[0029] Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention
wherein the gasket 56 is replaced with a ring-shaped band 62 of hydrophilic material
or like impermeable compressible material. The band 56 is positioned on the main liner
tube 38 and extends around the juncture between the main liner tube 38 and the lateral
liner tube 40. The band 62 is again preferably made of a hydrophilic material and
swells in response to being exposed to water or other liquid. In specific, the band
62 expands outwardly and inwardly in a radial direction to effectively seal the area
between the liner assembly and the juncture between the main pipe line 50 and lateral
pipe line 52.
[0030] In applications where the lateral liner tube 40 is inverted into the lateral pipe
line 52, it is preferred that the band 62 is attached to the main liner tube 38 to
secure the band in place. The band can be attached by means of stitching, stapling,
or by use of an adhesive or similar attachment means. The band 62 may be made from
a hydrophilic material such as the one provided by DeNeef Construction Chemical Co.
(described previously). A hydrophilic paste can also be used to form the ring or band
62 on the main liner tube 3 8. One such hydrophilic paste is distributed by OCM, Inc.
in Vernon Hills, IL under the trademark ADEKA ULTRA SEAL, part number P-201. This
product is a single component hydrophilic paste used in water stop repairs. The band
62 may also be made from a paste that is no hydrophilic yet forms an impermeable compressible
gasket when cured. One such impermeable compressible paste is distributed by Manus
Products, Inc. in Waconia, Minnesota.
[0031] Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate another version of the present invention. Although
U.S. Patent No. 6,994,118 discloses the use of hydrophilic seals positioned between the host pipe and the liner
tube on opposite sides of the damaged portion of a pipe line, simply moving the liner
tube and bladder into position along the pipe line has well-known disadvantages not
experienced by inversion techniques. The present invention also includes an embodiment
wherein hydrophilic seals or bands can be positioned on opposite sides of a damaged
portion of a pipe line through an inversion-style lining technique. Figure 7 illustrates
a singular pipe 70 having a damaged portion 72. A launcher device 92 houses a liner
tube 74 and a bladder tube 84 and is positioned in the pipe 70. About the interior
lining surface of the liner tube 74 is a first hydrophilic band or seal 76 and a second
hydrophilic band or seal 78 spaced apart so as to be located on opposite sides of
the damaged portion 72 of the pipe 70 when the bladder tube 84 and liner tube 74 are
inverted. The first and second hydrophilic bands or seals 76, 78 are attached to the
interior lining surface of the liner tube 74 by stitching, stapling, by use of an
adhesive or other suitable attachment means.
[0032] Figure 8 shows the liner tube 74 and the bladder tube 84 is a partially inverted
position.
[0033] Figure 9 shows the liner tube 74 and the bladder tube 84 fully inverted wherein the
liner tube 74 is positioned at the damaged portion 72 and the first and second hydrophilic
bands or seals 76, 78 are located on opposite sides of the damaged portion 72 of the
pipe 70. In these instances where the lining begins a significant distance away from
the launcher device, the bladder tube 84 acts as a positioning tube with the liner
tube 74 positioned accordingly inside the bladder tube 84, so that the liner tube
74 does not invert until it reaches the damaged portion 72 of the pipe 70.
[0034] The liner tube 74 comprises a layer of felt-like material which is impregnated with
a liquid material capable of curing and hardening and may have a polymer outside layer
or coating. The bladder tube 84 is inside the liner tube 74 after inverting and includes
a closed end 86 and a line 88 extending outwardly there from. Air or fluid is introduced
into the interior of bladder tube 84 to urge the bladder tube 84 radially outwardly
so as to urge the liner tube 74 into contact with the tube 70 being repaired.
[0035] The first and second hydrophilic bands or seals 76, 78, when encountered by ground
water seeping through the damaged portion 72 will expand and form a water tight seal
on opposite sides of the damaged portion 72. This prevents water from entering the
interior of the pipe line 70.
[0036] Those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that
in some applications a single band or seal can be used to prevent ground water from
entering the interior of the pipe line. For example, in lining a lateral pipe towards
a main pipe, positioning a hydrophilic band at the downstream end of the liner prevents
ground water from running down between the liner and pipe and emptying back into the
pipe line.
[0037] The invention has been shown and described above with reference to the preferred
embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions
may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. The invention
is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.
1. An apparatus for repairing a main pipe line (50) and a lateral pipe line (52) connected
thereto and in communication therewith to form a pipe joint, comprising:
a bladder assembly (16) comprising a main bladder tube (34) and a lateral bladder
tube (36);
a liner assembly (14) comprising a main liner member (38) at least partially surrounding
the main bladder tube (34) and a lateral liner tube (40) extending from the main liner
member (38) at a liner juncture, the liner assembly further comprising a resin absorbent
material;
the lateral bladder tube (36) and the lateral liner tube (40) being adapted to extend
within the
lateral pipe line (52) with the lateral bladder tube (36) being inside the lateral
liner tube (40) and the lateral liner tube (40) being between the lateral pipe line
(52) and the lateral bladder tube (36); and
a gasket (56) disposed at least partially on the main liner member (38) and surrounding
a portion
of the lateral liner tube (40) at the liner juncture, the gasket (56) comprising a
hydrophilic material capable of swelling in reaction to contact with a liquid.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gasket includes a tubular portion having a first
end and a second end and a flange portion extending outwardly from one of the first
and second ends of the tubular portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tubular portion is positioned between the lateral
liner tube and the lateral pipe line at the pipe joint and the flange portion is positioned
between the main liner member and the main pipe line at the pipe joint.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flange portion of the gasket is attached to the
main liner member near the lateral liner tube.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the main liner member is formed as a tube.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gasket is compressible.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lateral liner tube and lateral bladder tube are
adapted to move between a position wherein the lateral liner tube and lateral bladder
tube are inverted within the main bladder tube to a position wherein the lateral liner
tube and lateral bladder tube are everted into the lateral pipe line.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a launcher device within the main pipe
line, the main bladder tube at least partially surrounding the launcher device.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the main bladder tube is configured to expand under
fluid pressure to press the main liner member against the main pipe line and the gasket
against the main pipe line at the pipe joint.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lateral bladder tube is configured to expand
under fluid pressure to press the lateral liner tube against the lateral pipe line.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gasket is a hydrophilic band.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a launcher device having first and second opposite ends and a launcher device opening
therebetween;
the main bladder tube being outside and surrounding the launcher device and the lateral
bladder
tube extending through the launcher device opening and into the inside of the launcher
device;
the main liner member being outside and at least partially surrounding the main bladder
tube and
the launcher device, the lateral liner tube extending through the launcher device
opening and into the inside of both the launcher device and the lateral bladder tube;
the gasket having a tubular portion with opposite first and second ends and a flange
portion
extending outwardly away from one of the first and second ends of the tubular portion,
the flange of the gasket being disposed on the outside of the main liner member; and
the lateral bladder tube, lateral liner tube, and tubular portion of the gasket being
invertible
through the launcher device opening to an inverted position outside the launcher device
wherein the lateral liner tube is on the exterior of the lateral bladder tube and
the gasket is on the exterior of the main liner member and the lateral liner tube.
13. An apparatus for repairing a damaged portion (72) of a pipe line (70), comprising:
an elongated positioning tube (84);
a liner tube (74) extending within the positioning tube (84) and having an interior
lining surface;
a launcher device (92) having launcher device opening;
a first hydrophilic band (76) attached to the interior lining surface of the liner
tube (74) at the
launcher device opening;
the positioning tube (84) and the liner tube (74) being at least partially within
the launcher device (92); and
the positioning tube (84) and liner tube (74) being invertible through the launcher
device
opening to an inverted position outside the launcher device (92) wherein the liner
tube (74) is on the outside of the positioning tube (84) and the first hydrophilic
band (76) is between the pipe line (70) and the liner tube (74).
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the band is hydrophilic and/or impermeable compressible.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14 further comprising a second band connected to the
interior lining surface of the liner tube and wherein the first and second bands are
between the pipe line and the liner tube on opposite sides of the damaged portion
of the pipe line.
16. An apparatus for repairing a main pipe line (50) and a lateral pipe line (52) connected
thereto and in communication therewith to form a pipe joint, comprising:
a bladder assembly (16) comprising a main bladder tube (34) and a lateral bladder
tube (36)
extending from the main bladder tube (34);
a liner assembly (14) comprising a main liner member (38) at least partially surrounding
the
main bladder tube (34) and a lateral liner tube (36) extending from the main liner
member (38) at a liner juncture;
the lateral liner tube (40) and lateral bladder tube (36) extendable to a position
within the lateral
pipe line (52) with the lateral liner tube (40) between the lateral pipe line (52)
and the lateral bladder tube (36); and
a band of hydrophilic paste (62) disposed on the main liner member (38) around the
lateral liner
member (40) and between the main liner member (38) and the main pipe line (50) at
the pipe joint.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the band of hydrophilic paste is capable of swelling
in reaction to contact with a liquid.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the band of hydrophilic paste is applied at the
liner juncture.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the main bladder tube is configured to expand to
press the band of hydrophilic paste into contact with the main pipe line at the pipe
joint.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the main liner member is formed as a tube.
21. An apparatus for repairing a main pipe line (50) and a lateral pipe line (52) connected
thereto and in communication therewith to form a pipe joint, comprising:
a bladder assembly (16) comprising a main bladder tube (34) and a lateral bladder
tube (36);
a liner assembly (14) comprising a main liner member (38) at least partially surrounding
the
main bladder tube (34) and a lateral liner tube (40) extending from the main liner
member (38) at a liner juncture, the liner assembly further comprising a resin absorbent
material;
the lateral bladder tube (36) and the lateral liner tube (40) being adapted to extend
within the
lateral pipe line (52) with the lateral bladder tube (36) being inside the lateral
liner tube (40) and the lateral liner tube (40) being between the lateral pipe line
(52) and the lateral bladder tube (36); and
a gasket (56) disposed at least partially on the main liner member (38) and surrounding
a portion
of the lateral liner tube (40) at the liner juncture, the gasket (56) comprising a
compressible material.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the gasket comprises a hydrophilic material capable
of swelling in contact with a fluid.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the gasket comprises a hydrophilic paste.